photo by Elaine Torres
You’ve been busy with music recently. Can you tell us what you’ve been up to over the past few months?
I’ve released two singles “No Good” and “Breaking Down” which will be part of what will be my sophomore album which will be released next year. In May, I toured for the first time in Europe doing some festivals in the Netherlands and Germany, I performed at a great festival in the US called BottleRock Napa, and just completed a tour of the east coast starting in New York and finishing in Philadelphia.
https://ffm.to/breakingdown.ODL
Where did your love of music come from?
Definitely from my parents. My parents are huge music lovers and my dads vinyl collection was what turned me onto all the music I love like rock and roll, the blues, soul etc.
Your newest release “No Good” has gotten an amazing reaction from your supporters. What has been your reaction to all the success you have been having?
It’s been really exciting with the response to “No Good”. I was really proud of the song and excited to release it because I hadn’t released any new music since 2016. I think it was a great first taste of what the album has in hold.
“No Good” is a preview for your supporters of your new album due out in 2019. Can you spill any details about your new album?
It’s definitely a mixed bag. It goes everywhere from straight-ahead rock and roll, to fuzzy blues, soul ballads and more acoustic songs with an influence from JJ Cale and The Beatles. I really wanted to just write what I was feeling and not try and box the songs into any genre or style. It’s a very song oriented record, there is still a lot of guitar but I really wanted hooks and choruses and for the album to be about the songs.
What’s it like having some the top people in the industry think you are a “Guitar Hero”?
It’s definitely a massive compliment. It’s a nice pat on the back and makes me feel like I’m on the right path.
What has it been like branching your career to America?
For me it’s been great! America has been a really great fit for me and my music and I feel very lucky to have found somewhere that my music is building. All the music I love is from America so I was always drawn to it and I find places like LA, Austin, New York and Chicago really inspiring.
What do you hope to gain out of your music career?
I hope to keep building and just have a loyal fan base that want to hear where my music takes me. That’s really the goal to have people find my music, relate to it and stay with me on the journey of where it goes.
What do you think is the benefit of having a following on social media in the music industry?
It’s definitely a double edged sword. I think it’s great that you can put your stuff out and anyone can find it, but that can also be very hard because there is so much noise on the internet it’s hard to cut through. As a musician in 2018 you have to use social media now but I also think you have to be careful that it doesn’t become more important than the actual music you are creating.
How do you want your relationship to be with your fans?
That they know whenever I release something it’s 100 percent coming from me and that it will be honest in the writing and performance.
What social media platform do you use most to stay connected to your fans?
It’s funny, I don’t use twitter a whole lot, but I always seem to see messages from people through twitter saying they have just found my music on youtube or something. I probably use instagram the most because I enjoy putting up little guitar videos and engaging with people that way.
What’s an average day for you look like?
It’s always changing. If i’m touring its constantly moving trying to get to the next gig etc. At the moment I’ve just finished a tour and now I have to catch up on interviews like this and also start preparing cover art, packaging etc for my new album!
Do you have any last things you want to tell your supporters?
If you’ve already heard my music, thank you for taking the time to do so — hope you can make it to a show soon!
And if not, check out my music out and if you like what you hear, please tell a friend!
Thank you for taking the time to do this interview.
Thank you!
